MakeUseOf

I gave my smart home its own DNS and finally stopped my privacy settings from breaking it

Yadullah Abidi — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:30:17 GMT

I have a network-wide privacy setup for my home network that works beautifully until it doesn't. Pi-hole blocked trackers on my laptops and phones, but the same aggressive lists periodically break smart TVs, delay camera notifications, or leave a cloud-dependent bulb hanging off the internet.

Replacing these 4 Windows apps is my favorite performance upgrade

Afam Onyimadu — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 17:00:18 GMT

It's easy to blame hardware whenever Windows starts dragging or when you don't seem to get the best daily performance from your PC. This might push you to start exploring prices for RAM and larger SSDs. These changes will help, but I've found that the most immediate fixes don't require a budget.

Your car's USB port is more useful than you realize

Pankil Shah — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:30:18 GMT

USB ports have been a norm in cars for years now, but most people still use them for one of two things — charging their phone and using wired Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. But those USB ports can do a lot more than that, and all you need is the right gadget to plug into. These can make your car rides safer, cleaner, and a lot more fun. Most importantly, none of them will break your bank.

This free Android clock app replaced my focus timer, smart alarm, and stopwatch in a week

Abhijith N Arjunan — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 16:00:18 GMT

There are apps we take for granted on our Android smartphones because they work, and clock apps fit that description. For most people, Clock is an app they open to start timers or set an alarm. It turns out, a single clock app can do so much more without troubling you with ads or pop-ups.

This is what happens when open source gets serious

Yadullah Abidi — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:45:17 GMT

Open-source software usually comes with a compromise. You get freedom, flexibility, and control, but you may have to tolerate a few rough edges. On top of that, open-source software may not always be the best choice at all. But not if you're using Home Assistant.

I watch live TV for free with this app you’ve never heard of

Bryan M. Wolfe — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:30:18 GMT

Watching high-quality TV doesn't necessarily require a costly subscription to a cable or streaming service. Several iPhone apps offer live and on-demand content for free, supported by advertisements. Of these, I have found one in particular that does a great job.

Turning on this Samsung setting unlocked four features I didn't know I was missing

Brandon Miniman — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:01:17 GMT

I wish I had taken Edge panels on my Samsung Galaxy more seriously. For years, I assumed it was just a fancy app launcher until I explored it further and found that it had a handful of genuinely useful tools, including two that are literally hiding in Edge panels and can't be accessed from anywhere else on the phone.

If you haven’t manually updated 7-Zip or WinRAR lately, you should check now

Pankil Shah — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 14:31:17 GMT

Anyone who’s used a Windows PC ever probably knows about 7-Zip and WinRAR. In fact, there’s a decent chance one of them is installed on your PC. And if it is, it's also likely that you’re running an outdated version, because neither tool checks for updates automatically. That one gap is enough to leave your PC vulnerable to all kinds of threats.

Apple has an iPhone trade-in perk that Americans are missing out on

Shimul Sood — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 14:00:17 GMT

Apple sent someone to my home to inspect my old iPhone, collect it, and hand over its replacement in the same visit. I ordered through Apple’s online store and completed the trade-in at my doorstep.

I turned off these settings and stopped my smart TV from tracking so much

Jack Mitchell — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 13:31:17 GMT

When it comes to digital devices, there’s usually a trade-off between privacy and convenience, and smart TVs are no exception. Your TV may collect information about what you watch, how you use its software, and which ads interest you, each of which can improve the user experience.